Bring legislation to build Ram Mandir at Ayodhya: RSS Chief

“Mandir necessary for ‘self-esteem’, will unite country”

NAGPUR: Ahead of the hearing of Ayodhya dispute in Supreme Court later this month, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday demanded a law to enable construction of “a grand” Ram temple in Ayodhya at the earliest, saying it was necessary for "self-esteem" and to usher in an "atmosphere of goodwill and oneness", while accusing "fundamentalist forces" of obstructing the process.

Raking up the pet saffron agenda ahead of next year's Lok Sabha polls in his customary Dussehra address to the Sangh cadres at the RSS headquarters here, he also referred to the ongoing Sabrimala row, saying the Supreme Court verdict has not taken into consideration the nature and premise of the tradition and it has led to "divisiveness" in the society, while touching upon internal and external security issues.

During the 80-minute speech, Bhagwat spoke on various other issues like "urban maoism" and the need to strengthen the country's borders.

The RSS chief said the sangh has been associated with sentiments of crores of people in the efforts for construction of a magnificent Ram temple at the birthplace of Lord Rama, who is the personification of life energy of the nation and icon of upholding the dharma.

"The Ram temple must be constructed at the earliest at Ramjanmbhoomi. It should not be delayed any more. The decision should be taken at the earliest. We say the government should bring legislation and construct Ram temple. Whatever steps would be taken by sants in this regard, we will stand by them," he said.

"The construction of the temple is necessary from the self-esteem point of view, it will also pave the way for an atmosphere of goodwill and oneness in the country," he said.

"The 'janmabhoomi' (birth place) is yet to be allocated for the construction of the temple although all kinds of evidence have affirmed that there was a temple at that place (in Ayodhya)," Bhagwat said.
He said "politics is delaying the construction of Ram Mandir" and that it is in "nobody's interest to test the patience of the society without any reason."

"Lord Ram does not belong to any community. He is not about Hindus and Muslims. He is an icon of India. His temple must be constructed, be it any way. The government should bring legislation."

Bhagwat's remarks assume significance against the backdrop of the Supreme Court deciding to begin hearing the title suit of the Ayodhya dispute from October 29. The VHP has decided to launch a mass campaign in favour of building a temple.

"There is an obvious game plan of a few elements to stall the judgement (of the Supreme Court) by presenting various newer interventions in the judicial process," Bhagwat said.

"This matter of national interest is being obstructed by some fundamentalist elements and forces that play communal politics for selfish gains," he said.

"Despite such machinations, the decision on ownership of the land should be expedited and the government should clear the path for the construction of the grand temple through an appropriate and requisite law," the RSS chief said.

On the Sabarimala row, he said, "questions such as why only the Hindu society experiences such repeated and brazen onslaughts on its symbols of faith, obviously arise in the public's mind and lead to unrest."

He added, "The situation arising out of the recent (Supreme Court) verdict on Sabarimala temple shows a similar predicament. The nature and premise of the tradition that has been accepted by society and continuously followed for years together were not taken into consideration."

On September 28, a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by then chief justice Dipak Misra, lifted the centuries-old ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine located in Kerala.

The iron gates of the temple opened Wednesday for the first time since the court order, but none from the "banned" age group could make it to its hallowed precincts amid a welter of protests and violent clashes.

"The verdict has given rise to unrest, turmoil and divisiveness in the society in place of peace, stability and equality, the RSS chief said, referring to the apex court order.

"The version of heads of religious denominations and faith of crores of devotees was not taken into account. The plea by a large section of women, who follow this tradition, was not heard too," Bhagwat said.

"Decisions taken without considering all aspects and patiently creating mindset of the society will neither be adopted in actual practice nor will they help in creating a new social order, in tune with changing times and positions," he added.

Bhagwat also called for securing the country's borders, strengthening the armed forces and focussing on internal security.

Without naming Pakistan, he said attacks on borders have not stopped despite a new government taking over (there).

Noting that India always stood for peace and brotherhood, he stressed the need to maintain a balance between strengthening armed forces and raising their morale and at the same time propagating peace with neighbours.